More about Aluminum Tubing

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Aluminum tubing provides a durable, strong and extremely versatile solution to many tubing requirements. Among the attributes of aluminum alloys are their malleability and the ease with which they can be machined. Virtually any metal fabrication technique used, from roll-forming to stamping, can be performed on aluminum. Many varieties have excellent corrosion resistance, due largely to a thin oxide skin that forms after their exposure to the atmosphere.

This oxide coating provides protection against extreme conditions and wear, and will remain intact unless the aluminum is exposed to excessive temperatures or certain chemicals. The substances that can cause degradation of the oxide coating include a wide assortment of alkalis. Other metals in contact with the aluminum can also cause galvanic corrosion when an electrolyte is present. These factors should be considered when selecting your tubing option.

As tubing, aluminum alloys are used extensively in the aerospace, food processing and chemical industries. Certain copper-enhanced alloys are particularly suited to aerospace applications due to their additional strength, although they suffer from lowered resistance to corrosion. Other applications for aluminum tubing include automotive components, medical equipment, sensor systems and certain marine construction. Alloys are typically categorized by numbers, such as 1100, 2024, 3003 and 7075, each of which represents a certain composition.

Aluminum tubes are produced in a variety of shapes, including square, circular and rectangular tubing, and all manner of bends and angles can be manufactured. Custom tubing solutions are offered by a multitude of machine shops, and virtually any irregular shape can be engineered and produced. The devices used in the fabrication of aluminum alloy tubes include roll-forming machines, CNC machining centers, and a variety of cutting and welding tools. Aluminum tubing can also be treated to the anodizing process, which makes it possible to dye the aluminum in different colors and adds to the resistance capabilities of the outer coating.